Sunday, January 13, 2008

Copycat Knitter

When I was growing up, the refrain heard from me most often by our patient, beleaguered mother was no doubt "Mom, he's copying me!". Granted, on the whole he was mostly a good boy and I was a naughty, bully of a sister, and 80% of the time I was the evil aggressor, but he knew how to get to me with sneaky, behind-the scenes mimicry and mockery that left me flailing and wailing and him smelling like a rose. I was the dope who fell for his tricks and traps every time. My mother would also try to get me to understand that "...imitation is the sincerest form of flattery", which usually caused me to have another major hissy fit, punch him, and get in huge trouble. Those were some seriously good times...

Well now I am the copycat. You know that person at the table that changes her order after seeing what everyone else has ordered? That's me, except with knitting. See, my best pal Babs a.k.a Purlfriend has just about the best judgment ever in most situations, and her knitting taste is beyond compare. So whenever she's doing a project, well I just have to follow suit. And since it is keeping with the whole scarf theme happening around these parts, copying was the right thing to do.The SpecsPattern: Bainbridge Scarf, a little darling of a project by Miss MintyYarn: Socks That Rock Heavyweight in Oregon Red Clover HoneyNeedles: Size 6Time: One day...seriously. Except for the ties, which don't count.The construction of this little neck-warmer is brilliant, and the broken rib gives the garment excellent elasticity and makes it all around springy and sproingy. I just love this little thing, it's like a fetish object that someone could develop a dirty little attachment to, but don't worry, we're keeping it PG-13 for the kids...I am always on the lookout for ways to be using sock yarn for non-sock projects. I don't know what my problem is, but I am not feeling socks right now at all. I mean, I feel like I might start welding or glassblowing before I ever knit another sock again, that's how not in to socks I am. But out of a sense of duty (?), I feel I must finish my most recent pair, so I entered a little contest over at on Ali's blog in order to motivate myself. I am hoping to finish those blasted RPM socks from back in August by the end of January, we'll see what happens.

As the oldest, I was always yelping about my younger sisters copying me. Apparently, we've all gotten over it because copying is rampant in the knitting world. Scarf looks lovely too. I might copy you. Don't get mad.

I'm not sure I've ever not had the sock love, but I must admit that there have been times when I'd rather pet my sock yarn than knit with it. This scarf looks like a winner, though. I can certainly see the appeal of STR around one's neck.

Good luck with the socks! I must admit that I'm awful about knitting up sock yarn. I'm not buying any more for a long time.

Sport- or DK-weight sock yarn works great for sleeveless baby vests (like the Oz vest from Louisa Harding's baby knits book). Also, combining a couple colors works great for EZ's baby surprise jacket. I'm on the look-out for non-sock ways to use sock yarn, too.

But.... if you are in the mood to acquire new sock yarn (perhaps to get your sock-mojo flowing again, or to knit another lovely Bainbridge), come over to my "place" tomorrow, I'll be giving away some nice stuff.

Very attractive neck warmer. I figure that with knitting, imitation is indeed the best form of flattery (Psst... I hope you don't get punched). I'm with you on the whole "socks are the new kryptonite" vibe. I took a 6 month break off of the heeled bastards. One day we'll come crawling back, but until then, screw 'em.

the sacrf is very pretty. i'd much rather knit a scarf than a pair of socks which i have only managed to do three times so far. the second sock of the fourth pair i have had on the needles for over two years!

You're not the only one with "Bainbridge" on the brain -- I started one the other day with some leftover cashmere, sadly not enough for a full scarf, but I know I'll be reknitting another Bainbridge soon!

My brother used to drive me crazy this way. When I was in Grade 1 he was only 3, and would constantly parrot back whatever I said had happened at school that day. My mother had the same imitation is the sincerest form of flattery line. She was selling, but I wasn't buying it.

I love the Oregon Red Clover Honey colorway.... it's a great match for Bainbridge! Don't beat yourself up over not "feeling" the sock love... "sock" yarn is good for all sorts of things, as you say : )